Italy cash economy - safely carrying case

A growing cash economy? It's always been so, especially for B&Bs and apartments. Traveler's Checks are quite passe and unnecessary. Frequent ATM visits, and if need be you both make a withdrawal each day for a couple of days in a row to build up reserves to pay for your lodgings. As you leave the ATM, tuck the cash into an INSIDE pocket (not pants) and when you get to a safe place (your room, a restroom with lock) move it to your moneybelt. Never felt threatened even once doing this. Increasingly, you should be given a ricevuto fiscale or fiscal receipt which shows the transaction legally and that it will be reported as income. While the authorities are cracking down on proprietors, as a consumer you have the legal responsibility and right to a proper receipt from each restaurant, shop., B&B, etc.

TCs have been out of favor for the past 10-15 years, maybe more. Too easy to fake. The discussion about pickpockets is notorious. Pickpockets are, can be a problem if you are careless or convey a body language of careless. We have spent about three weeks total in Rome over the past six years and have never seen a pickpocket or had an attempt on us. But have run into other tourists who have had problems. We hit the ATMs about every three days and withdrawn 500E at a time. Generally you will get a 5 to 10% discount with cash. We rarely use credit cards.

There are many tales of woe about being pick-pocketed in Rome. Thieves see lost, distracted, and disoriented travelers as prime targets. So for that reason, a personal "security system" like a money belt, neck pouch, etc. makes good sense. Living in Rome, we never suffered a loss - be it burglary, theft, pick-pocketing, etc. Living in CPH we've already had two bicycles ripped off... After 20+ years of combined living in Europe, we did get hit in Granada, Spain. My wife, a very seasoned traveler, was pick-pocketed in a Zara department store by two young ladies. Fortunately, I carry the passports, major CC's, etc. in a money belt or neck pouch when traveling away from home. So with our international phones we quickly cancelled her CC's. All we lost was the limited cash she was carrying. You can read more about our "bad" experience and the different types of personal security systems available in this posting. I have a RS moneybelt and RS neck pouch I use often when traveling. They're both quite comfortable and lightweight. We were fortunate that we had planned for the worst possible event - despite 20+ years with no issues. As a result, we had the non-toll free CC numbers programmed into our international phones, had sent ourselves an email with our CC numbers, had separate ATM cards to different accounts, etc. There are definitely things you can (and should) do in advance. Here's an article on a few suggestions on What To Do At Home Before Coming to Europe. Some are pretty much common-sense but hopefully they can help you protect and enjoy your vacation

As the others have said, small hotels and B&B's have always prefered cash and often give a discount for using it. Credit cards charge the merchant a fee and cash saves them that fee. Since travelers chacks are no longer readily accepted, you'll need to either bring the euros with you or take frequent ATM withdrawls. Bring the euros from the US will cost you 5-10% above the daily exchange rate (vs 1-4% with an ATM). Before you leave, see if your bank will increase your daily withdrawl limit (some will). That reduces the number of ATM visits. I also strongly disagree with the first response to carry the cash in your pocket until you get to your room or a bathroom to put it in your moneybelt. That is a very risky move since a potential thief watching the ATM would know where your money is and can easily pick your pocket. Just put it in your moneybelt right away, but be alert to your surroundings when you have your moneybelt out. Ideally you can use an ATM in a bank lobby/vestibule or have your companion watching around you while you stash it away.

some are cash and some offer cash discounts but many hotels take credit cards. Nobody uses traveler's checks. Italian pickpockets are not notorious and most of the pickpockets in Italy are not Italian. Use credit cards and ATMs and just be aware of your surroundings.

You just need to be pro-active in your personal security. Carry your cash in a money belt or pouch underneath your clothes. Do not carry a billfold, or ladies shouldn't carry a purse. Be aware of people around you, as pickpockets travel in packs.
Don't think a bunch of little girls won't gang up on you, as gypsy kids are often trained pickpockets. If you get in crowds, like on subways, be aware of your pockets and people around you. Some pickpockets even wear U.S. college T Shirts, and look like you. They also prey on North Americans that appear to be nice. Don't be so nice if someone bumps into you--as their hands are already in your pockets. Nobody carries travelers checks. Due to the discount rates on ATM's, most people get relatively large withdrawals--$500 or so. Try not to get cash every day. Use credit cards any time you can.